Cauca is a magical place, filled with parks, protected wildlife and clean, precious water and maybe fairies, who knows? What we do know is that this particular coffee here was raised right at the equator, which would normally mean it’s hot and humid but fortunately some caring soul hauled this coffee plant slowly and painstakingly up steep slopes, and planted them in rich volcanic soils. Not only that, they picked the perfect spot, one where mountainous ridges protected the farm on all sides from inclement weather and the ruthless sun.

The result is coffee so smooth it practically glides over your taste buds like liquid silk. Lighter roasts have a floral sweetness with a citrus finish; while medium and darker roasts will enjoy a cashew nut-like cream and lingering chocolate finish.

Honduras is a curiosity in the coffee world. The country showcases a wide diversity of flavours, techniques and varietals that are breath-taking in scope and make pinning down a regional style impossible. The shear number of styles makes Honduran coffee a darling among coffee professionals as there are always new farms, flavours and techniques to discover. It’s best to approach Honduran coffee with an open mind. If you don’t like one, don’t write off the country; just switch regions and you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

This coffee is produced by Finca Las Mercedes: a cooperative found high up in the Mercedes Ocotepeque hills. These are top-quality beans, ranked highest on the Honduran quality scale: “Strictly High Growth” meaning they were farmed at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,800 meters. Carefully hand-picked and then processed as lightly as possible by removing the mucilage via fermentation in clean water and fully washing the beans before drying. The result is a pure expression of the local terroir. In darker roasts you can expect exceptional smoothness, a full body, and chocolate notes with a hint of lemon peel in the finish. Light roast drinkers will enjoy a similarly smooth taste and lively fruit. Ocotepeque is a hard-working and practical style that is well suited for all brewing methods.